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United States Patent |
5,167,569
|
Davis
|
December 1, 1992
|
Method and apparatus for removing a hide from a carcass
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for removing a hide (14) from a carcass
(12). A plurality of counterrotating members (18) engage a portion of the
hide (14) hanging from the carcass (12). The counterrotating members (18)
are then moved together to exert a gripping force on the hide (14). The
counterrotating members (18) exert a pulling force on the hide (14)
effective to remove the hide (14) from the carcass (12). The present
invention provides an improved rate of hide (14) removal, reduces hide
(14) damage, and reduces hazardous working conditions.
Inventors:
|
Davis; Albert D. (Greenley, CO)
|
Assignee:
|
Monfort, Inc. (Greeley, CO)
|
Appl. No.:
|
695253 |
Filed:
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May 3, 1991 |
Current U.S. Class: |
452/130; 452/187 |
Intern'l Class: |
A22B 005/16 |
Field of Search: |
452/130,125,128,129,187
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3737949 | Jun., 1973 | Davis | 452/129.
|
3863294 | Feb., 1975 | Barbee | 17/21.
|
3895416 | Jul., 1975 | Haws | 17/21.
|
4035868 | Jul., 1977 | Gardner et al. | 452/128.
|
4229860 | Oct., 1980 | Irwin | 17/50.
|
4307490 | Dec., 1981 | Watkins et al. | 17/50.
|
4320559 | Mar., 1982 | Couture | 17/50.
|
4392274 | Jul., 1983 | Noroy | 17/21.
|
4417367 | Nov., 1983 | Leining | 17/21.
|
4438546 | Mar., 1984 | Couture | 17/50.
|
4653149 | Mar., 1987 | Swilley | 17/21.
|
4751768 | Jun., 1988 | Trujillo, Sr. | 17/50.
|
4873749 | Oct., 1989 | Couture | 17/50.
|
4934027 | Jun., 1990 | Kjorum et al. | 17/50.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
251963 | Jun., 1964 | AU | 452/129.
|
822865 | Sep., 1969 | CA | 452/130.
|
104117 | Mar., 1984 | EP | 452/130.
|
1393383 | May., 1986 | SU | 452/129.
|
2233541 | Jan., 1991 | GB | 452/187.
|
Primary Examiner: Little; Willis
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sheridan, Ross & McIntosh
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for automatically removing a hide from an inverted bovine
carcass, wherein a previously detached portion of said hide hangs
downwardly over said carcass' head, comprising:
a plurality of counterrotating members positioned beneath said carcass,
said members movable between a first position wherein said members are
separated to receive said detached, hanging portion therebetween and a
second position wherein said members are pressed together to frictionally
engage said hide and exert a pulling force thereon;
elevator means for raising said counterrotating members toward said carcass
wherein said detached, hanging hide portion is received between said
counterrotating members beneath said carcass; and
gripping means for urging said counterrotating members together, wherein
said hide is gripped therebetween, pulled over said carcass' head and
removed from said carcass.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said gripping means comprises a motor
operatively associated with at least one of said counterrotating members
to move said at least one member relative to another of said
counterrotating members.
3. The apparatus of claim wherein said gripping means urges said
counterrotating members together responsive to a signal indicative of
carcass position.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said signal is transmitted by sensing
means including a limit switch.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said switch is activated by movement
of the carcass.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said switch is activated by movement
of a carcass conveyor.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said counterrotating members comprise
a belt.
8. The apparatus of claim I, wherein said counterrotating members remain
substantially beneath said carcass while the hide is removed thereby
reducing lengthwise stretching of the hide.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: an electrical element to stiffen
the carcass.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said element comprises an electrical
device moveable between an extended and a retracted position, the device
contacting and applying an electrical current to said carcass in an
extended position.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:
a sterilizer to sterilize said device after said device contacts said
carcass.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising:
a motor to impart lateral movement to said members to substantially match
the movement of said carcass so that said members remain substantially
beneath said carcass as said hide is pulled therefrom.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising:
a motor to move said members between a raised and a lowered position, the
members engaging said hide in the raised position and exerting a pulling
force on said hide due to movement from the raised to the lowered
position.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising:
a first triggering device to initiate movement of said members to engage
said hide;
a second triggering device to initiate movement to grip and pull said hide;
and
a third triggering device to initiate movement to reset said members in
preparation for subsequent carcasses.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a carcass leg holding assembly to substantially prevent said carcass from
being pulled from a carcass conveyor, said assembly comprising a forked
member to engage a narrowed portion of a carcass leg.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said forked member is generally
V-shaped and said narrowed portion is engaged in an interior portion
thereof.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said forked member is interconnected
to a conveyor which moves to substantially match the movement of said
carcass conveyor, wherein said forked member and said narrowed portion
remain engaged as said carcass moves through a downpulling station.
18. An apparatus for removing a hide from a bovine carcass suspended by at
least one rear leg from a continuously moving conveyor, comprising:
a downpulling assembly including a plurality of counterrotating members,
the members movable between a first position wherein said members are
separated to receive a portion to said hide hanging over said carcass' had
and a second position wherein said members are pressed together to
frictionally engage said hide and exert a pulling force thereon;
means for laterally moving said assembly for positioning said assembly
beneath the carcass during removal of the hide; and
means for transversely moving said assembly relative to the direction of
movement of said carcass in a first direction and in a second direction,
at least one of said first and second directions being directed away from
the carcass, during removal of the hide, thereby exerting a pulling force
on said hide effective to pull said hide over said carcass' head and
remove said hide from said carcass.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said assembly comprises opposed
closely moving surfaces to grip the hide therebetween.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said opposed surfaces comprise belts
to frictionally contact said hide.
21. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a motor to move said
surface between said first position and said second position.
22. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:
an electrical element to apply a current to the carcass in order to stiffen
the carcass.
23. The apparatus of claim 18, comprising:
an extendable electrical element, wherein said element is extended to
contact and stiffen said carcass substantially as said counterrotating
members move away from the carcass.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said element is extended responsive
to a signal indicative of carcass position.
25. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a carcass leg holding
assembly to substantially prevent the carcass from being pulled from the
conveyor, said holding assembly comprising a forked member to engage a
narrowed portion of a leg of the carcass.
26. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said means for transversely moving
comprises means for lowering said assembly away from said carcass.
27. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said means for transversely moving
simultaneously moves said assembly in said first direction and in said
second direction along an arcuate path.
28. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said means for transversely moving
pivotally moves said assembly, thereby increasing the pulling leverage of
said assembly.
29. A method for removing a hide from an inverted bovine carcass suspended
from a moving conveyor, comprising the steps of:
raising a hide pulling assembly to engage a portion of said hide hanging
over the carcass' head, said assembly comprising two counterrotating
members;
engaging said hide between said members;
moving said members together to grip and pull said hide;
moving said assembly laterally to substantially match movement of the
conveyor; and
lowering said assembly away from said carcass to assist in pulling said
hide over said carcass' head.
30. The method of claim 29, further comprising the steps of:
applying an electrical current to the carcass by contacting the carcass
with an electrical element, thereby stiffening the carcass.
31. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of:
sterilizing said element between hide pulling operations.
32. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of:
initiating said step of raising responsive to a signal indicative of
carcass position.
33. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of:
initiating said step of lowering responsive to a signal indicative of
carcass position.
34. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of:
holding a carcass leg during said hide pulling operation so that the
carcass is not pulled from the conveyor.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of holding comprises:
engaging a narrowed portion of said leg within a forked member; and
moving said member to substantially match the movement of the carcass
during said hide pulling operation.
36. A method for pulling a hide from an inverted bovine carcass, wherein a
previously detached portion of aid hide hangs freely downwardly over said
carcass' head, comprising the steps of:
engaging the hide between counterrotating members beneath said carcass, the
members movable between a first position wherein said members are
separated to receive said detached, hanging portion therebetween and a
second position wherein said members are pressed together to frictionally
engage said hide and exert a pulling force thereon;
raising said counterrotating members so that said detached, hanging portion
is received therebetween;
moving said members together to grip said hide; and
rotating said members to exert a pulling force on said hide.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein said step of rotating comprises driving
a belt around at least one roller.
38. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of:
suspending the carcass from a continuously moving conveyor with a
longitudinal axis of the carcass transverse to a path of said conveyor.
39. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of:
moving said members laterally to substantially match movement of the
conveyor.
40. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of:
moving said members away from the carcass to exert a pulling force on the
hide.
41. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of:
applying an electric current to the carcass to stiffen the carcass.
42. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of:
automatically delivering the hide removed from the carcass to a hide
conveyor.
43. An apparatus for holding a carcass during hide removal, comprising:
a carcass conveyor from which said carcass is suspended by at least one
leg; and
leg holding means for holding a narrowed portion of said leg to reduce the
likelihood of the carcass being pulled from said conveyor as the hide is
removed, the leg holding means including a forked ember to engage the
narrowed portion of said leg therein, wherein said forked member is
interconnected to a conveyor which is disposed about a hub, said conveyor
substantially merging with said carcass conveyor near a portion of said
hub, wherein said forked member meshes with said narrowed portion as said
conveyor substantially merges with said carcass conveyor.
44. An apparatus for holding a carcass during hide removal, comprising:
a carcass conveyor from which said carcass is suspended by at least one
leg;
leg holding means for holding a narrowed portion of said leg to reduce the
likelihood of said carcass being pulled from said conveyor, the leg
holding means comprising a substantially rigid, V-shaped member to receive
said narrowed portion of said leg therein, the substantially rigid
V-shaped member having a first open end and progressively narrowing from
the first end to a second end thereof; and
means for moving said substantially rigid, V-shaped member towards said
leg, wherein said narrowed portion of said leg is received through the
first, open end so that said narrowed portion of said leg abuts against
said substantially rigid, V-shaped member.
45. The apparatus of claim 44, further comprising:
a second conveyor for moving said leg holding means.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to the processing of animal carcasses in
a slaughterhouse, and in particular to a method and apparatus for removing
a hide from a carcass.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a slaughterhouse processing line, a hide is commonly removed from a
carcass by a hide-pulling assembly such as a downpulling assembly.
Typically, downpulling assemblies are used in processing lines wherein the
carcass is suspended from a conveyor by its hind legs so that the
longitudinal direction of the carcass is transverse to the path of the
conveyor. The downpulling assembly pulls downwardly on the hide so that at
least a portion thereof is detached from the carcass. The downpuller may
remove the entire hide by pulling the hide over the carcass' head.
In some known downpulling assemblies, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,299,860 and 3,737,949, an operator is required to engage the
downpulling assembly with the hide. The assembly disclosed in the '860
patent employs a rotating skinning drum to which the hide is attached by a
chain. One end of the chain is fixed to the drum and the operator attaches
the other end of the chain to a hide portion. The hide is then wrapped
around the drum as the drum rotates. Of course, the hide must be unwrapped
from the drum before the next hide pulling operation, thereby slowing the
processing line. The '949 patent discloses an assembly where an operator
rides a carriage which moves with the carcass as the hide is pulled
therefrom. The operator inserts a hide portion between a pair of
counterrotating wringer elements which apply a pulling force effective to
remove the hide. The carriage is moved downwardly along the back of the
carcass during the hide pulling operation.
Assemblies which require an operator for engagement of the hide have a
number of drawbacks. First, the operators are exposed to extremely
dangerous working conditions. In order to remove the hides, the
downpulling assemblies must be capable of generating great pulling force.
Operators working in close proximity to these machines have suffered
serious injuries including severed arms from entanglement with the
machinery. Second, the use of an operator adds cost to the overall
processing of carcasses. Thus, for safety considerations as well as cost
reduction considerations, it is desirable to engage hides without manual
implementation. Such a method and apparatus could, by reducing the
manpower requirements of the slaughterhouse, also improve food-product
hygiene.
Other known downpulling assemblies, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,307,490, concentrate large pulling forces on a relatively small portion
of the hide. In the '490 assembly, a portion of the hide is inserted
between gripping jaws mounted on a shaft. The pulling force can then be
exerted by driving the shaft downward. In such assemblies, the pulling
force is concentrated on a relatively small portion of the hide increasing
the likelihood of hide damage. It is desirable to eliminate damage because
animal hides are commercially valuable products.
In addition, current downpulling assemblies may slow the processing line
due to operator and equipment inefficiencies thereby limiting plant
capacity. In some processing lines employing downpulling assemblies, the
conveyor is stopped while the hide is pulled from the carcass. If the
conveyor continued to move while a fixed downpulling assembly pulled on
the carcass, lateral forces would be exerted on the conveyor. These
lateral forces would place additional stress on the conveyor drive means
and tend to cause components of the drive means to slip, e.g., a drive
chain could slip on its sprockets or slippage could occur between gears.
None of the known downpulling assemblies solve the dangerous working
conditions, hide damage, and line delay problems described above. Thus,
there is a need for a method and apparatus for pulling hides from
carcasses which greatly reduces dangerous working conditions, increases
processing line speed and reduces the likelihood of hide damage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention disclosed herein comprises a method and apparatus for
pulling the hide from an animal carcass which reduces or substantially
eliminates problems associated with prior downpulling assemblies. The
present invention allows the pulling force to be spread relatively evenly
over the hide so that hide damage is reduced. In addition, the present
invention allows the hide pulling assembly to engage the hide
automatically, i.e., without manual implementation, so that dangerous
working conditions are reduced. The present invention also allows the hide
pulling assembly to move laterally to match the movement of the carcass
conveyor so that it is not necessary to stop the processing line while the
hide is pulled from the carcass.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method and
apparatus for removing a hide from a carcass is provided wherein the hide
is automatically engaged between a plurality of counterrotating members.
The members are positioned substantially beneath the carcass to receive a
hide portion freely hanging from said carcass. A means for raising the
assembly is provided so that the hide is engaged between the members in a
raised position.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the hide is gripped
and pulled from the carcass by the counterrotating members. After the hide
is engaged between the members, the members may be moved together to exert
a gripping force on the hide. The counterrotating members thereby exert a
force on the hide effective to pull the hide from the carcass. The members
may be moved downward to exert an additional pulling force on the hide
thereby assisting in removal of the hide. Additionally, an electrical
current may be applied to stiffen the carcass and reduce the likelihood of
carcass spinal separation and stretching or tearing of the adjacent meaty
portions. The assembly may also be moved laterally to substantially match
the movement of the carcass as the hide is pulled, thereby eliminating the
need to stop the processing line at the hide pulling station.
It is an advantage of the present invention that a hide can be removed
automatically, thereby reducing dangerous working conditions, reducing
labor requirements, and improving hygiene. It is a further advantage of
the present invention that the pulling force is more evenly spread over
the hide, thereby reducing the likelihood of hide damage. The present
invention also improves the rate of hide removal, further enhancing plant
profitability.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further
advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following Detailed
Description taken in conjunction with an accompanying Drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention in a lowered and spaced position;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a raised and
spaced position;
FIG. 4 is perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a partial lowered
and gripping position;
FIG. 5 a side view of a gripping means constructed in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a carcass leg holding assembly constructed
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a top elevation of the assembly of FIG. 6; and
FIG. 8 is a side elevation of a hide pulling station incorporating the
assembly of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In FIGS. 1-4, like items are identified by like and corresponding numerals
for ease of reference. Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, perspective and
side views, respectively, of a downpulling assembly constructed in
accordance with the present invention is generally identified by the
reference numeral 10. The downpulling assembly 10 is employed at a hide
pulling station of a slaughterhouse processing line. Before reaching the
downpulling assembly 10, a carcass 12 may be processed at a number of
preliminary stations including: a stunning station where the animal, for
example a cow, is immobilized; a slaughter station where the animal is
dispatched; a station where the carcass 12 is bled, for example, by
cutting arteries in the neck region and inverting the carcass 12; and a
preliminary pulling station where a hide 14 is detached from the rear
legs, hind quarters and sides of the carcass 12 so that the hide 14
remains attached only around the shoulders, neck, head and front legs of
the carcass 12. Typically, the carcass 12 is transported to the
downpulling assembly 10 by a conveyor generally indicated by a line 16,
suspended therefrom by its hind legs such that a longitudinal axis 11 of
the carcass 12 is generally transverse to the path of the conveyor 16. For
example, if the carcass 12 is suspended by its hind legs, the longitudinal
axis 11 may be substantially vertical. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a portion
of the hide 14 hangs downwardly over a head 12' (indicated by hidden
lines) of the carcass 12 as the carcass 12 approaches the downpulling
assembly 10.
The downpulling assembly 10 comprises a plurality of counterrotating
members 18 which engage the hide 14 and a gripping assembly 20 which urges
the members 18 together in order to grip the hide 14 therebetween and pull
the hide 14 from the carcass 12. The counterrotating members 18 may
comprise rollers, rotating cylinders or other rotating members. A drive
motor may be provided to impart rotational motion to the members 18 in a
manner well-known in the art. For example, the motor and members 18 may be
interconnected by a drive shaft and gears, or through drive chains and
sprockets. Separate motors may be provided to drive each member 18 or a
single motor and a drive assembly including an appropriate transmission
mechanism could be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the
counterrotating members 18 comprises a belt 22, e.g., a gravel belt,
disposed in a loop around drums 24 which are, for example sixteen inches
in diameter. The members 18 are disposed so that two closely moving
opposing surfaces 26 are provided at the interface therebetween.
Preferably, the opposing surfaces 26 move at substantially the same speed
thereby reducing the likelihood of hide 14 damage due to frictional
stretching of the hide 14.
The gripping assembly 2 is operatively associated with at least one of the
counterrotating members 18 to move the members 18 together or apart. The
gripping assembly 20 comprises, for example, a pneumatic, hydraulic, or
other motor to move at least one of the counterrotating members 18. The
members 18 are thereby moveable between a spaced apart position and a
gripping position as shown in phantom in FIG. 2. In the spaced position, a
gap is provided between the members 18 to allow receipt and engagement of
the hide 14. The members 18 may then be moved to the gripping position by
activation of the gripping assembly 20 to move the members 18 together so
that a gripping force is exerted on the hide 14. As shown in FIGS. 1 and
2, the members are moved together by extension of the cylinder rods 19
from cylinders 21 thereby urging the upper member 18 toward the lower
member 18.
Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of the assembly 10 engaging a hide
14 hanging downwardly from the carcass 12 is shown. The assembly 10 is
positioned beneath the carcass 12 so that the hanging hide 14 may be
engaged without need of an operator for inserting the hide 14 between the
members 18. The positioning of the assembly 10 beneath the carcass 12
provides the further advantage that it facilitates "peeling" of the hide
14 thereby reducing the likelihood of longitudinal stretching. It has been
found that peeling, or pulling the hide in direction generally parallel to
a longitudinal axis 11 of the carcass 12, reduces the pulling force which
must be exerted on the hide 14.
An assembly 28 for raising and lowering the assembly 10 is provided. The
assembly 2 is synchronized with movement of the carcass 12 and the
conveyor 16, as will be described below, so that a hide 14 is received
when the members 18 are in a raised and spaced position. In the
illustrated embodiment, the members 18 are pivotally mounted on a frame 30
through an axis 32. The assembly 28 for raising and lowering may thus
comprise a pneumatic, hydraulic or other motor disposed between the frame
30 and the members 18 to pivotally raise and lower the members 18. The
members 18 are thereby moveable transverse to movement of the carcass 12.
That is, the members 18 may be moved towards or away from the carcass 12
by raising or lowering the assembly 10. Thus, the members 18 may be raised
from a lowered position (FIG. 1) to a raised position (FIG. 3) to engage
the hide 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the members 18 are in a spaced position
to receive the hide 14.
Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of the assembly 10 pulling the hide
14 is shown. The assembly 10 may move laterally, as generally identified
by an arrow 34, to substantially match the movement of the carcass 12 as
the hide 14 is removed therefrom. This allows the hide 14 to be removed
from the carcass 12 while suspended from the continuously moving conveyor
16 without exerting undue lateral force on the conveyor 16 thereby
reducing stress on the conveyor drive means (not shown). Therefore, it is
not necessary to stop the conveyor 16 at the downpulling assembly 10, and
processing line speed and plant capacity are accordingly enhanced. Any
suitable means may be provided to impart lateral movement to the assembly
10, for example, wheels, rollers, rails or the assembly may be slidable on
guiderails or in a channel. In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly 10
is mounted on rails 36 and is moved by a power source such as a pneumatic,
hydraulic or other motor (not shown). Of course, cables, chains or other
means could be employed to move the assembly 10.
In FIG. 4, the members 18 are shown in a gripping and partially lowered
position. After engagement of the hide 14, the gripping assembly 20 is
activated to urge the members 18 together so that the hide 14 is contacted
and gripped therebetween. The moving opposing surfaces 26 (See FIG. 1) of
the members 18 thereby progressively grip portions of the hide 14 and pull
the hide 14 off the carcass 12. As can be understood, the pulling force is
therefore spread relatively evenly over the hide 14 as the hide 14 is
removed from the carcass 12 thereby reducing the likelihood of damage
thereto. The raising and lowering assembly 28 may be employed to lower the
members 18 away from the carcass 12 as the hide 14 is removed, thereby
assisting in the removal.
Removal of the hide 14 may also be assisted by application of an electric
current to stiffen the carcass 12. As is known, application of a current
may prevent spinal separation and ripping of adjacent meaty portions which
could otherwise occur when a pulling force is exerted generally parallel
to the carcass, 12 spine. A retractable device 38 for applying an electric
current to the carcass 12 comprises, for example, a contact portion 40
such as an electrode or other electrical element mounted on a retractable
arm 42. The device 38 is moveable between a retracted position (FIGS. 1
and 3) and an extended position (FIG. 4). In the retracted position, the
contact portion 40 may be received by a housing 44 wherein the portion 40
is sterilized to reduce carcass cross-contamination. In the extended
position, the portion 40 contacts the carcass 12 thereby applying an
electric current thereto. Preferably, extension of the portion 40 is
synchronized with movement of the carcass 12 on conveyor 16, as will be
described below, so that the carcass 12 is stiffened substantially as the
maximum pulling force is exerted. For example, the maximum pulling force
may be exerted when the hide 14 is pulled over the head of the carcass 12.
The removed hide 14 may then be transported by hide conveyor 46 (See FIG.
2) for further processing at, for example, a tanning station. The hide
conveyor 46 is positioned to receive the removed hide 14 after the hide 14
is drawn between the members 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the hide
conveyor 46 is positioned beneath the members 18 to receive hides 14
dropped therefrom. Therefore, no operator is required to collect or unwind
the removed hides 14 which further reduces labor requirements an improves
hygiene. After removal of a hide 14, the assembly 10 is automatically
reset to receive another hide 14. That is, the assembly 10 is moved
laterally and the members 18 are returned to the spaced and lowered
position as in FIG. so that the above-described cycle may be repeated.
Various movements of the assembly 10, members 18, and the assembly 38 may
be synchronized with movement of the carcass 12 and the conveyor 16. For
example, triggering devices, such as limit switches, positions of which
are generally identified by arrows 48, 48' and 48" are provided such that
movement of the carcass 12 with the conveyor 16 causes a signal to be
transmitted, thereby activating operation of the assembly 10. In the
illustrated embodiment, three limit switches are employed. A first limit
switch 48 is used to trigger the assembly 28 to raise the members 18 from
the lowered position of FIG. 1 to the raised position of FIG. 3 and also
to initiate lateral movement of the assembly 10. A second switch 48' is
used to trigger movement of the gripping assembly 20 to the gripping
position, and to trigger lowering of the members 18 by the assembly 28.
This switch may also trigger extension of the retractable device 38.
Finally, a third switch 48" is used to reset the assembly 10 to the
position of FIG. 1. Although the specific embodiment described employs
three limit switches, it will be understood that other types and
arrangements of triggering devices could be employed. For example, the
triggering devices could comprise radiation sensors, such as electric
eyes, or magnetic sensors. Similarly, a single triggering device 48 and
suitable delay means could be employed instead of multiple triggering
devices 48, 48' and 48".
Referring to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of a gripper is generally
identified by the reference numeral 50. The gripper 50 is employed in
connection with an upper counterrotating member 52, which includes front
and rear drums 54 and 56, respectively, and a lower counterrotating member
58 which includes three drums. The lower member 58 is pivotally mounted on
frame 62 about an axis generally identified by a point 64. The rear drum
56 is pivotally mounted on frame 62 about an axis generally identified by
a point 66 while the front drum 54 is fixedly mounted on the frame 62.
First and second pneumatic devices 67 and 68, such as air bags, are
provided to pivotally move the rear drum 56 downward and the lower member
58 upward so that the members 52 and 58 move from a spaced apart position
to a gripping position (as shown in phantom). The first device 67 is
disposed between the lower member 58 and the frame 62 so that the member
58 is raised when the device 67 is expanded. Similarly, the second device
68 is disposed between a pivot arm 70 and the frame 62 so that the rear
drum 56 is lowered when the device 68 is expanded. It is an advantage of
this embodiment that the front drum 54 is fixedly mounted on the frame 62.
When a hide is pulled from a carcass, an upwardly directed force is
exerted on the front drum 54. If a device was provided to move the front
drum downward, the device would have to counteract this upwardly directed
force. Thus, it is believed that certain efficiencies may be achieved by
fixedly mounting the front drum 54 and moving only the rear drum 56 and
lower member 58. Although not shown it is to be understood that belts
similar to the gravel belts as previously described above are used in
conjunction with the gripper 50.
Referring to FIGS. 6-8, a carcass leg holding assembly in accordance with
the present invention is generally identified by the reference numeral 71.
A problem associated with prior art downpulling assemblies is the tendency
of a carcass 72 to be pulled from a carcass conveyor 74, when a
downpulling assembly 73 pulls the hide, resulting in line stoppage and
reduced plant yield. This problem may be alleviated in accordance with the
present invention by use of the leg holding assembly 71. The assembly 71
comprises a plurality of generally "V" shaped fork members 76 which engage
a narrowed portion 78 of carcass legs 80. As will be described in more
detail below, the narrowed portions 78 are progressively received within
the members 76 through an open end 82 thereof so that the narrowed
portions 78 abut interior walls 84 of the members 76. Thus engaged, the
members 76 reduce downward passage of broader bony portions 86 of the legs
80 through the members 76, thereby reducing the likelihood that the
carcass 72 will be pulled from the carcass conveyor 74.
The narrowed portions 78 are automatically engaged by the members 76 which
travel with the carcass 72 during the downpulling operation. In the
illustrated embodiment, the members 76 are interconnected with a conveyor
88 which is disposed about a hub 90. The conveyor 88 is located so that it
closely parallels the carcass conveyor 74 through the hide pulling
station. In addition, the speed of the conveyors 74 and 88 may be
controlled so that the speed of the members 76 matches the speed of the
carcass 72. This may be accomplished by co-driving the conveyors 74 and 88
from a common power source through appropriate linkage, as is well known
in the art.
The narrowed portions 78 are engaged by the members 76 as the conveyors 74
and 88 substantially parallel each other. The members 76 are
interconnected to the conveyor 88 so that the open ends 82 of the members
76 are away from the hub 90 as the members 76 pass thereabout. This allows
the members 76 and narrowed portions 78 to mesh as the conveyors 74 and 88
become substantially parallel. Of course, to ensure that the members 76
merge with the narrowed portion 78, the distances between successive
members 76 along the conveyor 88 should be equal to the distances between
corresponding narrowed portions along the conveyor 74. Finally, if the
downpulling assembly is located to one side of the conveyor 74, it is
desirable that the assembly be located on the same side so that the
narrowed portions 78 are urged against the walls 84 as the hide is pulled
from the carcass.
In operation, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for
automatically removing hides 14 from carcasses 12. The assembly 10 moves
from a lowered and spaced position (FIG. 1 to a raised and spaced position
(FIG. 2) to engage a hide 14 hanging downward from a carcass 12. After
engagement the members 18 are urged together by the gripping assembly 20
so that the hide 14 is gripped and pulled therebetween. As the hide 14 is
pulled, the assembly 10 may be moved laterally, to substantially match the
movement of the carcass 12, and simultaneously lowered away from the
carcass 12 to assist in removal of the hide 14. A retractable device 38
for applying an electric current may be employed to stiffen the carcass 12
thereby reducing the likelihood of spinal separation. A hide conveyor 46
may be disposed beneath the members 18 to automatically receive removed
hides 14 and transport the hides 14 to further processing stations.
Finally, the assembly 10 and members 18 are reset to the position of FIG.
1 in preparation to receive another hide 14.
The present invention has a number of advantages. First, the method and
apparatus of the present invention removes hides automatically, i.e.,
without the need for manual implementation. This is accomplished in part
by receiving a hide which is hanging downward from a carcass, thereby
eliminating the need for an operator to insert the hide into a
hide-pulling assembly. The present invention thus reduces dangerous
working conditions, reduces labor requirements, and improves product
hygiene.
In addition, the present invention reduces damage to the hides. The pulling
force is spread relatively evenly over the hides as the hides are peeled
from the carcasses and progressively drawn between the members 18. In
addition, the likelihood of stretching of the hides is reduced because the
members 18 are positioned beneath the carcass 12 to facilitate peeling of
the hide. Damage to the hides is thus reduced thereby further enhancing
profitability.
The present invention also provides an improved rate of hide removal. The
present invention allows the hides to be removed from carcasses without
stopping the conveyor. Moreover, the hides are pulled between moving
opposing surfaces, rather than being wrapped about a rotating member, so
that a time consuming unwrapping step is not required. The present
invention is capable of removing hides from approximately 400 carcasses
per hour as compared to about 250 carcasses per hour using prior art hide
removal assemblies.
Finally, it is anticipated that the apparatus of the present invention will
require a reduced amount of continuing maintenance. The present apparatus,
particularly when driven by hydraulic motors, requires relatively few
mechanical parts. In addition, where the counterrotating members 18 are
comprised of a gravel belt 22 and a plurality of drums 24, it has been
found that the necessary pulling force can be produced at a relatively
slow rate of revolution (about 35 revolutions per minute). It is thus
expected that infrequent changes of the belt 22 will be required, thereby
reducing down time and further improving plant capacity.
Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific
embodiments thereof, various changes and modifications may be suggested to
one skilled in the art and it is intended that the present invention
encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the
appended claims.
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